| Title | : | When the Irish Invaded Canada: The Incredible True Story of the Civil War Veterans Who Fought for Irelands Freedom |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0385542607 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780385542609 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 365 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2019 |
Just over a year after Robert E. Lee relinquished his sword, a band of Union and Confederate veterans dusted off their guns. But these former foes had no intention of reigniting the Civil War. Instead, they were bound by a common goal: to seize the British province of Canada and to hold it hostage until the independence of Ireland was secured.
By the time that these invasions--known together as the Fenian Raids--began in 1866, Ireland had been Britain's unwilling colony for seven hundred years. Thousands of Civil War veterans considered themselves Irishmen before they were Americans. They were those who fled rather than perish in the wake of the Great Hunger, and now they took their cue from a previous generation of successful American revolutionaries. With the tacit support of the U.S. government, the Fenian Brotherhood established a state in exile, planned prison breaks, weathered infighting, stockpiled weapons, and assassinated enemies. Defiantly, this motley group, including a one-armed war hero, an English spy infiltrating rebel forces, and a radical who staged his own funeral, managed to seize a piece of Canada--if only for three days.
When the Irish Invaded Canada is the untold tale of a band of fiercely patriotic Irish Americans and their chapter in Ireland's centuries-long fight for independence. Inspiring, lively, and often undeniably comic, this is a story of fighting for what's right in the face of impossible odds.
When the Irish Invaded Canada: The Incredible True Story of the Civil War Veterans Who Fought for Irelands Freedom Reviews
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Who knew?
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Irish Americans one year after the Civil War invaded Canada and tried to hold it hostage until Britain freed Ireland. A bit of a crazy story that’s true.
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The Irish invaded Canada? I was captured, in a sense, by the title; and, at the end of the experience, happy I read Christopher Klein’s latest book, When The Irish Invaded Canada: The Incredible True Story of the Civil War Veterans Who Fought for Ireland’s Freedom. Klein lives in Andover, Massachusetts, and has authored four books previous to this publication. He has written for the New York Times, Boston Globe, as well as, Smithsonian.com and History.com.
This is a story I was not aware had even occurred. And to find that it not only took place shortly after the end of the Civil War, but that elements of the “invasion”, —subsequently referred to as the “Fenian Raids”— transpired in Maine and Canada, specifically Eastport and Campobello, surprised me even more.
Providing an excellent backstory supported by historical data on the epic struggle between the Irish and English (Great Britain), Klein, no doubt, has done his homework, as he expeditiously brings the reader to the crux of the story. Beginning just 13 months after the end of the Civil War, soldiers from both North and South— having laid down their arms— begin the arduous challenge of trying to put the Union back together. But, for Irish Americans, there is a new cause; to finally secure the independence of Ireland from British rule.
To do this, the leadership of the Fenian Brotherhood, a precursor to future Irish organizations seeking independence, sees an opportunity to once again strike a blow against Great Britain by seizing Canadian territory and simultaneously sparking an uprising on their native soil of Ireland.
The term Fenian is derived from the Fenian Cycle in Irish Literature, which centers on the deeds of the legendary Finn MacCumhaill and his volunteer corps of warriors known as Fianna Eireann. A person of the Fenian Brotherhood was a member of an Irish nationalist society active in the United States and Ireland. Fenian leadership in the US fell to John O’Mahony, and in Ireland to James Stephens.
In the book’s prologue, Klein introduces 32 year-old Colonel John O’Neill as he stands with his men on the banks of the Niagara River in May of 1866. After a six-mile march through Buffalo, O’Neill and his men, dressed in tattered uniforms with green ribbons tied to their hats and buttonholes, make ready to cross and strike the first blow against the British in a fight for Irish independence.
It is O’Neill who Klein uses to effectively sum up the pent up feelings and attitudes, of over 700 years of English rule over the Irish. The once Civil War officer who took a Confederate bullet in defense of the Union, O’Neill was now fulfilling a childhood dream.
“The governing passion of my life apart from my duty to God is to be at the head of an Irish Army battling against England for Ireland’s rights. For this I live, and for this if necessary I am willing to die.”
What O’Neill’s passionate cry embodies, and what Klein so adeptly communicates throughout the pages of this book, is the essence of a grand story— “to capture the British colony on America’s northern border, hold it hostage, and ransom it for Ireland’s independence.”
Touching on topics of immigration, famine (Great Hunger), political, economic and racial injustices, Klein’s work exposes a myriad of degradations which serve to only fuel Irish contempt for Great Britain, and ignite numerous attempts to establish their own country under their own rule.
To do this, leaders of the Irish resistance decide to promote their cause, strike from both Ireland and the U.S. and as recruitment begins, plans are developed to establish Ireland as a free and independent country. Irish Americans begin an arduous journey back across the Atlantic to add to the already growing numbers of men in Ireland. Likewise, here in the US, men in the Irish neighborhoods of cities across the Northeast join the ranks of the brotherhood, and make ready for whatever is to come.
John O’Mahony, a Gaelic scholar born in County Cork, Ireland, emigrates from Ireland to the US in 1853 to form the Fenian Brotherhood operating in New York City. James Stephens, born in Kilkenny, Ireland, who was political out of the gate, forms the Irish Republican Brotherhood. These two men then organize and recruit members for a two-prong assault in the US and Ireland against Great Britain.
Soon after, a splinter faction forms when O’Mahony becomes complacent. William Roberts heads that group, and begins siphoning members and money with plans to invade Canada. But, seeing his leadership threatened, O’Mahony reluctantly approves a new strategy proposed by Bernard Doran Killian, to seize Campobello Island and use it as a base of operations for a much larger invasion.
The base of operations for this invasion is Eastport. Klein devotes an entire chapter on this mission, giving a good glimpse into the inner-workings of the developing resistance and to the mood of Eastport residents. The occupation in preparation to take and hold Campobello was one of five raids to be made from the US into Canada between 1866 and 1871. The series of incursions involved New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec (twice) and Manitoba.
Klein’s detail on the events, major players, the historical underpinnings from both the US and British governments provides a wealth of information, allowing this period in history to surface as if reading a novel. The book’s flow and descriptive narrative with its unvarnished views of an Irish American trail by land and sea from a decimated homeland to the grimy streets of New York City is quite good.
This story has it all—Civil War veterans and a one-armed war hero, spy games, counter-intelligence, a radical’s faked funeral, tongue-in-cheek US support, stockpiling of weapons, planned assassinations; culminating in what is today regarded as a sometimes comical insurrection of one against another. Yet the deeper message Klein leaves with the reader, is that this is an important piece of history, and that the struggle of some fiercely patriotic Irish Americans was just one chapter of a much longer story about independence and a fight against impossible odds. -
Wait, what? Why???
Well, why not? If you were Irish or an Irish-American immigrant, you'd have a bone to pick with the British oppressors. And if you can't hit 'em at home, might as well hit 'em next door. This meticulously researched study of a little-known chunk of American history (there were actually multiple invasions, each one increasingly more ridiculous) is both fascinating and hilarious in its unfortunate futility.
Not that it seemed futile at the time. Shortly after the Civil War an ugly streak of anti-Catholic sentiment reared its ugly head, thanks to the rising number of Irish immigrants. Not that they WANTED to flee their homeland starving, mind you. But America wasn't much better for the Irish, at first, until they got their act together and started organizing politically, with the help of exiles from the motherland eager to stir up shit in the new world.
Invading Canada seemed like a good idea simply because it was RIGHT THERE. What better way to send a statement to the Crown than to invade its territory next door? A more conservative wing of the Fenian Brotherhood urged prudence, and the road to invading Canada was both long and twisted. Klein does a great job elucidating the political machinations both within and without the Brotherhood that led to the first invasion of Canada.
Notice that I said "first." In increasingly more ridiculous attempts, the Irish-Americans and their Irish supporters repeatedly tried to invade Canada. Officially the American government had to disapprove, citing neutrality laws. Realistically, however, they would've jumped at the chance to take Canada for themselves, so they decided to see how it played out. Though each attempt started with high hopes, something -- British spies, lack of arms and food, or smaller than expected numbers shot the Irish in the foot every time, sometimes with unintentionally comic results.
By the fifth or sixth time someone tries to "invade" Canada, you will find yourself laughing and saying, "Really, guys?" Honestly, they shot themselves in the foot right in the first attempt: a number of Black Civil War veterans approached the Fenians and asked to join in the fight. The Irish? Said no. Because racism. Sigh.
This book is a mixture of military tactics and political intrigue, all told in a spirited style that keeps the plot perking along even when the infighting gets ridiculous. You know how it ends -- obviously Canada is not now an Irish province -- but getting there is the fun part, even if you don't normally like military history. Recommended for libraries where micro-histories and/or political non-fiction is popular. -
I won this book on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like a poor amateur historian as I has no idea that Irish soldiers attempted to invade Canada in order to help gain Irish independence. This was a very informative book with lots of detail. Well written and easy to read/follow. -
I was excited to read this book because it was discussing the same topic I wrote my master's thesis on. The Fenian Brotherhood and the Irish Republican Brotherhood were a two-pronged, transatlantic Irish nationalistic movement during the 1850s-1870s.
The Fenians, the American prong, focused on fundraising and saw participation in the Union Army as training for an eventful rebellion in Ireland. After the war, however, the leadership split on where to strike for Irish independence - in Ireland of to invade Canada and hold it for ransom. After a failed rebellion in Ireland, and six failed invasions of Canada the brotherhood fell apart.
This book focuses on the confused infighting politics of the Fenians and at the military history of the Fenian raids. It is well researched (I saw a number of the same primary sources that I used) and does a great job untangling the story. -
If you have an ounce of Irish blood in you and you’re a American Civil War enthusiast, you have to read the history of the Fenians, The IRA and their attempt to take back Ireland from the British via Canada. Detailed and long but factual and interesting.
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A fascinating and at times farsical tale of struggle and tragedy. A bit of Irish and American history I was completely unware of until I dug into this book. It is a story well-told, and worth telling.
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Seems to be well-researched, but it was a slog to get through for me.
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When the Irish Invaded Canada: The Incredible True Story of the Civil War Veterans Who Fought for Ireland's Freedom by Christopher Klein is a history of a little-known war. Klein is a writer specializing in history, travel, and sports. He is a frequent contributor to the Boston Globe and History.com, the website for the History Channel and the author of three other books.
To many people, Ireland is a country whose struggle has been limited to British rule. The Irish, as a people, were involved in many western hemisphere conflicts. Bernardo O'Higgins led the effort for Chilean independence. John Riley and the St. Patrick Brigade fought with the Mexican army in the Mexican-American War while other Irish earlier fought to defend the Alamo. The Irish have a history of fighting for causes they believe in. One cause has always been freedom from British rule.
After the Civil War, Irish men on both sides of the lines joined in a plan to gain Independence from England by seizing Canada. The soldiers' connection to Ireland was much stronger than the color of the uniform they previously fought in. The circumstances of the times allowed this invasion plan to progress. Many believed that the potato famine was a result of a British plot which added to their determination. Americans were leary of England because of their support of the South in the Civil War. Americans also remembered the British came through Canada and burned Washington DC. Furthermore, the great influx of Irish to America created a powerful voting block influencing politics.
The attack obviously was not successful in freeing Ireland or overtaking Canada, but it did allow for a seemingly impossible event to occur and create new heroes in the Irish Independence movement. Klein writes a smooth flowing and well-documented history of the events leading to the invasion, the invasion, and its aftermath. Klein's writing style and the obscurity of the event almost seems like alternative history. It was an almost perfect storm of events and circumstances that created this chapter in history. -
An interesting, well-researched book, Klein tells the little known story of Irishmen fighting for Ireland's freedom in America. Plenty of context is provided to understand Irish and English feelings (both politically and personally), culminating in the Great Hunger when millions of Irish died and millions travelled to America to avoid the potato famine. Irishmen fought on both sides of the American Civil War, but many saw this battle as a training ground for a larger, more important, war- the war for Irish freedom from England.
As with any story of a large group of people, political and idealogical differences divided those planning to free Ireland. The focus here, as the title suggests, is the decision by Irish nationalists to hurt England by invading Canada. Three main invasion plans over a few years led to battles, the breaking of neutrality laws, political fighting, and eventually the largest unintended consequence of all: Canada as a separate nation. The political maneuverings were fascinating, with America working secretly (or not) to claim Canada for itself, Irish nationalists trying to hold land hostage to negotiate for Ireland's independence, and individuals searching for glory.
Klein does an excellent job showing the reader how the seemingly ridiculous plan to take Canada by a group of overly optimistic individuals directly influenced the twentieth century Irish rebellions and led to the country we know today. Fascinating and fast-paced, "When the Irish Invaded Canada" is a must read for anyone interested in nineteenth century America and Canada, let alone the evolution of the Irish national movement towards independence.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. -
After reading much about Thomas Francis Meagher and the Irish during the Civil War, this book provides a glimpse into the events that would take place soon after. The rebel group known as the Fenians hatched a brilliant plan to invade British owned Canada, then known as British North America, and relinquish the land only in exchange for Irish independence from the 700 year rule of the British. Though things begin with a handful of triumphant surprising victories, disorganization and dwindling interest among the Irish Americans soon lead to a series of follies each more ridiculous than the last. The venture reaches its near comical breaking point when Fenian leader, John O’Neil leads his men to an attempted capture of a British outpost, only to not just be handily defeated, but to also learn that their coordinates were off, and the base they had attempted to siege was an American one...they hadn’t even yet reached Canada. Though the second half of the book plays out like a comedy of errors, we are left to sadly admire the desperation of a people who want nothing more than freedom from their oppressors. I recommend reading this along with the Immortal Irishman in order to get the entire picture of the time period. Thomas Meagher was the perfect highly intelligent, inspiring hero in comparison to O’Neil’s naïveté and foolishness. Even so, through his defeats and humiliating later days, you have to admire his fighting spirit.
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After a bloody civil war a nation becomes a staging ground for terrorists to attack neighboring countries. As with all good history the parallels and differences to today’s world are fascinating. Some of these battles are so fool hardy. Irish freedom fighters seemed more interested in becoming martyrs then actual success. But “if we ever hope to see Ireland free, we must honor the attempt as well as the triumph.” You have to encourage the struggle, you have to allow for false starts, or else you could miss the best opportunity. Lots of great details, I wish the book was longer.
What I learned: Britain built the confederacy’s war ships. The majority catholic Irish had to pay tithes to the Irish Protestant church. English law forced the catholic Irish to leave small plots to all male heirs; making their land less efficient. Drought and high winds were present when Chicago burned down; on the same day America’s deadliest forest fire killed 2500 people near Peshtigo Wisconsin. The Tiffany trophy for the Belmont stakes, is topped by a champion horse named “Fenian.” In the war of 1812 Americans burned down the provincial parliament building of Toronto; we still have their parliamentary mace as a war trophy. Finn McCool! -
This book is well written and researched. It covers the numerous attempts of a group of Irish immigrants who try and invade Canada in order to take it over and force England to negoiate turning Ireland into a republic. This all takes place shortly after the civil war when groups of Irishmen who fought on both sides of the war join the cause. They were not successful due to the fact that their leadership was overly optomistic and poorly organized. At the start the United States took a passive/supportive interest under President Andrew Johnson, but was more realistic under President Grant. Instead of breaking Canada away from England, they caused the provinces to unite more closely.
I recommend this book to anyone who had an interest in Irish history or an interest in a piece of hidden United States history.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my fiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook and Twitter pages. -
Received an advanced copy in exchange for a fair review.
When the Irish Invaded Canada (an amazing title) is about exactly what it says: the time the Irish made a series of attempts to battle the British on British soil as part of a longshot attempt to gain freedom for their homeland.
Klein does an excellent job of providing quick but effective context about Ireland's history and politics (could actually stand to give a bit more, actually) and what was going on around the world. I had no idea the fight for Ireland's independence had such extreme and lasting geo-political implications and learned SO MUCH.
My one complaint is the "characters" felt underdeveloped. In laying out such a thorough history, Klein doesn't spend as much time as I would like on the people during key moments. This keeps the plot moving but I would have liked more.
Overall, what a cool little microhistory on what was a big damn deal in the 1860s and 1870s but is now forgotten. -
A well-researched and well-written account of a largely forgotten chapter of trans-Atlantic history. A few minor factual inaccuracies, usually limited to casual asides (for instance, the author claims the Fenians captured "the banner" of the Queen's Own Rifles at Ridgeway - but as a rifle regiment, they never had a flag or banner to be captured). There are also sometimes when the author really struggles to be objective - this is not to say historians should not be critical of English/British policy towards Ireland over the centuries, but Klein at times seems to think the multiple invasions of Canada completely justified (and while lamenting the deaths of Irishmen who died for their own country, glosses over the Canadians killed protecting theirs) - as President Grant is even quoted as saying in the book, "two wrongs don't make a right."
Nevertheless, a largely enjoyable and informative read about some brave, albeit reckless, people, who helped shape the destinies of four nations. -
History was my least favorite subject in school because I never felt like I could put it into practical terms. It always felt like a far off and far removed story but not a reality. Those stories are becoming more real the more I travel and visit the sites and museums where that history was made. It puts things in perspective and I was always a more visual learner, so now that I'm capable of going out and exploring on my own I'm ready to learn. I barely remember US History let alone world history, so I had never even heard of these Fenian Raids and it was great to learn about this piece of our puzzle. It was presented in a very light and theatrical way that actually drew my attention and put it on a reel in my mind to let me visualize timelines and scenes and helped me really connect with this story.
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We all remember the time when the Irish invaded Canada right? Mr. Klein’s novel details a little known plot in the Irish fight for freedom from British rule. Shortly after the Civil War in America an organization, The Fenian Brotherhood, decided the best way to free Ireland was to invade Canada. Over the last five years of the 1860’s multiple attempts were made to accomplish this goal.
Mr. Klein did an excellent job researching this book, and it shows with his knowledge on the subject. The downside is sometimes it came off a little dense and dry. I like how the chapters weren’t overly long, and within each chapter there were breaking points.
A very interesting subject that examines the roots of America’s role in the fight for an independent Ireland. Fans of mid nineteenth American history and Ireland’s fight for freedom will enjoy this book. -
This book was recommended to me by a friend who described the plot as something so ridiculous I thought for sure we were discussing a fiction story. We were not! This is no silly caper, but a story with profound effects on the geopolitics of multiple nations and cultures and a story that involved at least 3 US presidents directly - and despite reading biographies on all of them (A. Johnson, Grant, Cleveland), I have no memory of this factoring in as a large bit at all. If you are looking for an entertaining history book that will have you repeating "This seriously happened?" over and over again, look no further. My only regret is that I had a hard time following the cast of characters over audiobook, so perhaps read the physical edition if you are trying to choose between.
